Vented valve



Dec. 1, 1959 R. w. BEALL, JR

VENTED VALVE Filed 00t- 2. 1956 Ba/AED WBEML, dia.,

United States Patent C VENTED VALVE Richard W. Beall, Jr., Hermosa Beach, Calif., assign'or of one-half to Linden H. Chandler, Lomita, Calif.

Application October 2, 1956, Serial No. 613,584 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-153) The present invention relates generally to valves, and more partieularly to a vented valve adapted to permit smooth, uninterrupted flow of liquid from a contaner. This application is a continuation-in-part of pending applicaton Serial No. 384,376 entitled Fluid Dispensing Devices filed October 6, 1,953, now Patent No. 2,779,517, dated Jan. 29, 1957.

The primary purpose in devising the present nvention is to provide a vented valve that may be removably mounted in the liquid discharge opening of a drum or other vessel whereby fluid may be dispensed therefrom in a smooth, uninterrupted fiow without the necessity of removing the venting plug normally provided in such containers.

Other major objects of the invention are to provide a valve that permits gravitational dispensing of volatile, infiamxnable liquids 'from drums with a minimum of danger from fire or explosion, -that is of a simple mechanical structure, can be fabricated from standard commercially available materials, is easy and safe to operate, and can be inserted or removed from a drum or contaner with a minimum of physical etfort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve that may be utilized in the removal of a bung closure, as well as a valve in which the actuating mechanism thereof may be locled in an inoperative position to prevent unauthorized removal of liquid from the drum or container on which the device is mounted.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred and alternate forms of the device, and from the drawings illustrating those forms in which:

Figure 1 is a combined side elevational and Vertical cross-sectional view of the preferred form of the valve;-

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the valve disc, the tubular air vent insert extension, and the guides which' slidably support the disc within the confines of the valve body;

`Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the view of the valve body taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the valve shown in Figure 1 illustrating a locking device that may be associated therewith;

Figure 5 is a combined side elevational and Vertical cross-sectional view of a first alternate form of the invention;

-Figure 6 is a framentary perspective view of the forward extremity of the valve showing means provided thereon for unscrewing the bung closure from a drum; and,

Figure 7 is a Vertical, cross-sectonal alternate form of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 for the general arrangement of the preferred form of the invention, it will'be seen to include a downwardly and'forwardly extending valvepbody A, the interior of which is divided by a wall view of a second B to define an air vent passage C and a liquid discharge disposed portion 10 on which the threads E are formed,-

and the forward end of this portion develops into an intermediate portion 12 of greater transverse cross section, which intermediate portion in turn develops into a downwardly extending portion 14. Liquid discharge passage D is preferably smaller in transverse cross section in portion 14 than it is in the intermediate portion 12, for reasons which will hereinafter be explaned in detail.

The wall B extends longitudinally through the interior of valve body A and terminates in the upper rearward portion thereof in a heavy wall section 1'6 in which a tapped bore 18 is formed that communicates with the air passage C. A tubular insert 20 is provided that has threads 22 formed on one end thereof that engage bore 18 and removably support the insert 20 with the desired portion thereof situated within the confines of valve body A. The rear face of body A defines a valve seat 24, as can best be seen in Figure 1.

A circular valve disc 26 is provided that has a circumferentially extending groove 28 formed therein which receives a resilient ring 30. The size of disc 26 is such that when in the position shown in Figure 1,"the ring 30 is placed in fluid-sealing contact with valve seat 24. Two guides 32 and 34 project forwardly from valve disc 26, which guides are slidably supported in a bore 36 that extends forwardly from the rear end of valve body A, and the upper portion of this bore terminates in a body shoulder 38 defined by the rear face of the heavy wall portion 16. The upper guide 32, as can best be seen in Figure 2, is of tranverse circular segmental shape and has a bore 40 extending rearwardly therein that is in comunication with a transverse port 42 formed in the guide. Bore 40 is of such diameter that the tubular insert 20 is slidable within the confines thereof. An

elongate boss 44 extends forwardly from the upper inter-V mediate portion of valve body A and a bore 46 is formed in this boss that is in coaxial alignment with a forwardly disposed counterbore 48 of larger transverse cross section also formed in the boss, which bore and counterbore define a body shoulder 50 at their junction.

An elongate rigid member 52 such as a solid rod or the like is slidably mounted in bore 46, and a forwardly disposed portion 52a of this member projects beyond the boss 44 and a rearwardly disposed portion 52h. The rear extremity 52v of portion 5217 is of smaller transverse cross section and threads are formed on the exterior thereof. T hreaded extremity 52c extends through a centrally disposed bore 53 formed in valve disc 26, and this threaded extremity is engaged by a nut 54 to rigidly hold the disc on the elongate member 52. A handle 56 of appropriate shape 'and design is mounted on the forward end of portion 52a, by which handle a rearwardly directed 'force may be applied to member 52 tol move the 'valve disc 26 rearwardly from seat 24. Rearward movement of disc 26 permits fluid to discharge through passage D and 'air to enter drum H through passage C to replace liquid as it is discharged from within the confines of the drum. As shown in Figure l, handle 56 'defines a rearwardly situated body. shoulderv 58 against which one end of a compressed helical spring 60 abuts when the spring is disposed in an encircling position about member 52. The rearwardly disposed'portion'of spring 60 is situated within the confines of counterbore 48, with the rear end of the spring contacting the face Patented Dec. 1, 1959 3 of body shoulder 58. When handle 56 is subjected to inward force, member 52 and valve disc 26 are moved rearwardly to the position shown in phantom line in Figure 1 whereby liquid may be dispensed from drum H.

To permit downward and forward positioning of valve body. A as shown in Figure 1 Without danger of 'liquid seepage from the confines of the drum between threads E and F, it is highly desirable that a rigid interiorly threaded ring 62 be provided that engages threads E. A circular resilient paclrer 64 is mounted on the threaded portion to the rear of ring 62, which packer is compressed to provide a fiuid seal when ring 62 is rotated to oause it to move rearwardly and compress packer 64 between it and the surface of head G adjacent the discharge opening F. The packer 64 is preferably disposed in a circumferentially extending groove 65 formed in portion 10, and is forced in fiuid-tight engagement therewith when the packer is compressed. Groove 65 is so located in portion 10 as to be just forwardly of drum face 67 when the valve is threaded into the discharge opening as shown in Figure 1.

In Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the port 42 is situated forwardly a short distance from disc 26, and as a result air cannot enter the confines of drum H through passage C until the disc has been moved rearwardly a predetermined distance. Location of the port 42 in this manner is highly desirable, for liquid starts to flow |from the drum through passage D immediately upon separation of disc 26 from seat 24. This fiow of liquid from the drum in which the invention is mounted momentarily creates a negative pressure within the confines thereof. As further inward movement of the disc and guides 32 and 34 takes place, air moves rearwardly through passage C to replace the displaced liquid, and due to this rearward air movement there is little or no tendency for liquid to drain from the air vent. When a rearwardly directed force is removed from handle 46, the compressed spring 60 immediately tends to return valve disc 26 to the position shown in solid line in Figure l Where the ring 30 is infiuid-sealing contact with seat 24.

As this forward movement of disc 26 and guides 32 and 34 occurs, the admission of air into the confines of the drum through passage C is first cut off due to the fact that port 42 seals with the interior face 66 of valve body A prior to contact between the resilient ring 30 and seat 24. This operation of the valve develops a negative pressure within the confines of the drum before the sealing ring 30 contacts seat 24, and accordingly there is little or no tendency for liquid to seep from drum H between threads E and F.

In the prefered form of the invention it will particularly be noted that the liquid passage portion in the intermediate portion 12 of valve body A is of larger transverse cross section than that of the lower extremity 14, which enlarged passage portion insures the availability of a liquid surplus for discharge through the lower passage whereby there will be no tendency for air to fiow upwardly through passage D rather than through passage C. 'This construction eliminates the possibility of an uneven flow of liquid from the valve such as would occur if `air were to enter the lower extremity of passage D. It will be par-ticularly noted that while threaded portion 10 is disposed in a horizontal plane, the bore 3 6 formed therein slopes downwardly and forwardly at substantially a 6 angle with the horizontal. This augulation of bore 36 assures a downward flow of liquid from |the container H, as well as effecting a slight elevation inside the container for the vent opening.

modified form of the invention is shown in Figure ftwliic'h is" identical in construction to theabove-described devicefexceptthat 'a boss 44' tht'is'somewhat larger in diameter than boss 44 is'provided and is slidably enga'ged by a cjylindrical dust shield 68 which projects rearwardly the helical spring 60' and completely conceal same. A

toggle looking mechanism 70 is provided which includes a first member 72 that is pivotally connected on the forward end thereof by a pin 74c to Shield 68. A trigger 72a projects upwardly from member 72 as shown in Figure 4. A second toggle member 74 is pivotally connected by a pin 76 to housing 44'. The `adjiacent overlapping end portions of the firs't and second members are pivotally connected to one another by a pin 78, and a spring 80 at all times tends to hold these members slightly bcow horizontal alignment as shown.

Two laterally separated legs 74a extend downwardly 'from second member 74, and an opening 74b is formed in the lower portion of each leg positioned below the dust shield 68. Two openings 74h serve to receive a U- shapcd portion of a padlock or other locking means (not shown) to maintain the toggle members '72 and 74 in the horizontal position shown in Figure 4 where in-Ward movement of the elongate rod 52' is. impossible and` actuation of the valve disc 26 is thereby prevented, Exertion o-f force ontrigger 72a in a counter cloclcwise direction (Figure 4) pivots the trigger and first toggle member 72 to the position 'shown in phantom line, to

gether with the second toggle member 74Vwhe`reby handle 56 may then be pressed rearwardly to separate disc 26 from seat 24. It will be apparent that prior to such movement of the toggle mechanism that the padlock or other locking mechanism (not shown) must be removed from openings 741).

Referring to Figure 5 for the detailed structure of the first 'alternate form of the invention it will be seen to include an L-shaped valve body A' in which a longitudinally extending wall B' separates the 'body interior into an air inlet passage C' and a liquid discharge passage D'. Wall B' extends upwardly and develops into a. cylindrical housing 82 that has a bore 84 formed in the rearward end portion thereof, and a tapped bore 86 formedin the forward end thereof. Bore 86 removably supports a packing assembly referred to generally as`88 that slidably engages a rigid tubular member 90 which extends rearwardly through bore 84. Member 90 continues rearwardly and supports a valve disc 92 on the rear end portion thereof.

Disc 92 is formed with a circumferentially extending groove 94 in which a resilient paclier ring 96 is mounted.

that is of such size as to engage a circular seat 93 formed on the rear extremity of the valve body A'. Tubular member 90 (Figure 5)` extends. forwardly be..- yond the packer assembly 88 and is adapted to be moved rearwardly by a handle 100 that is pivoted by a pin 102 on valve body A'. A first port 104 is formed in the forward portion of member 90 which is situated within the confines of the compartment 82, and this port communicates with the air inlet passage C'. Member 90 also has a second port 106 formed in the rearward portion thereof that is in communication with a bore 106a which leads upwardly through a guide 108 of transverse circular segmental cross section that is affixed to or an integral part of disc 92. Guide 108 is slidable within the confines of the rear portion of valve body A'. For convenience in mounting valve body A' in a tapped bung opening, a nut 110 is integrally formed in the body and preferably situated at a midpoint on the exterior thereof. Member 90 has a protuberance 112 on the exterior thereof which is situated within the confines of compartment 82. A compressed helical spring 114v is disposed within the compartment 82 with one end abutting against the protuberance and the opposite spring end resting against the rear face of the compartment. This spring at all times tends to maintain the valvel disc 92 and packer 96 in alfluid-sealing position with seat 9.8V`

a shown inFigure 57.

same manner as the preferred form of theiin'vention.

After the first alternate form of valve-*is installed .in` a tapped bung opening, liquid is d-ispen'sed by excrtingv pressure on the handle 100 to pivot it in a counter clockwise direction to separate the sealing member 96 from the seat 98. Liquid immedately starts to discharge forwardly through fluid passage D' and air enters inlet passage C' to flow rearwardly through port 104, tubular member 90, port 106, -bore 106a to enter the confines of the drum and replace the liquid which has been discharged therefrom. Upon release of pressure from handle 100, the compressed helical spring 114 tends to expand and return the valve -dis'c 92 and sealing member 96 to the position shown in-'Figure where the sealing member is in fluid-sealing contact with seat 98. This alternate form of the invention, with the exception of the structure above described, voperates in the same manner as the preferred formof the device.

Upon occasion it may be desirable to employ either the preferred or the alternate form of the valve as a tool to remove a bung closure 120 from a container and to facilitate such use the lower extremity 14 or 14' of the valve may be provided with two oppositely disposed slots 122. Slots 122 are of such size and depth as to removably engage the cross member 124 normally provided in the recessed portion 126 of a conventional bung closure 120.

Av second alternate form of the invention is shown in Figure 7 which, rather than being screwed into a tapped bung opening, Vis frictionally inserted within the confines of the bung hole in either a drum, bottle, or a like container. For purposes of illustraton the second alternate form ofxthe invention is shown installed in a bottle neck.

In this figure it will be seen that this alternate form ofV fluid dispenser includes a tubular body 202 having a primary tubular pourng spout 203 extending downwardly through a centrally disposed` bore 204 formed in a frusto-conical stopperi205. The stopper may be formed from cork, rubber or other 'resilient material not adversely affected by fluid contained in the bottle With which it is associated. At an intermediately located junction 206, the primary pouring spout 203 branches into an upwardly extending tubular member 207 and an angularly disposed secondary pouring spout 208. The upper end of tubular member 207`` is closed by a plate 209 from which a centrally disposed stem depends that supports an annular packer 211 on the lower end thereof.v w

That portion of member 207 directly `above junction 206 is sealed by a plug 212 in which a longitudinally extending bore 213 is formed. An elongate air tube 214 is mounted in bore 213 and is vertically slidable therein. Stem 210 projects downwardly 'into tube 214 and maintains packer 211 in slidable sealing contact with the interior surfacerthereof. A collar 215'is mounted on the upper portion of tube 214, which collar is disposed within the confines of tubular member 207 and in slidable contact with the interior wall surface thereof. A handle 216 projects from collar 215 and passes through a Vertical slot 217 formed in tubular member 207. Handle 216 may take a variety of shapes, but that of a generally L-shape is preferable. This L-shaped handle includes a stem 218 which supports a concave pressure plate 218a at its lower end, which plates may be of any desired shape.

In Figure 7 it will be seen that an annular valve member 222 is provided through which a bore 223 extends to permit mounting thereof on the lower extremity of t-ube 214. Valve member 222 is at all times urged upwardly due to the compression on spring 220 whereby member 222 seats in fluid-sealing contact with the lower edge 222a of tube 214 as shown in solid line. Tube 214 is provided with a first air vent 224 which is so located that when the invention is in a non-dspensing position the vent may be seen above packer 211.` A second air vent' 225 is formed in the' lower portion of tu'be 214 situated above valve member 222. A plug 226l o'r other conventional sealing means closes the lower end oftu'be 214.9 A flange 227 projects from primary spout 203 which limits the distance the spout may move downwardly relative to stopper 205. Flange 227 is also of assistance in forcing the stopper 205 downwardly into the month 200 of the bottle or container with which the invention is associated' Operationof the secondralternate form of the invention is extremely simple. When it is desired to dispense fluid from a containeron which the device is mounted,v the container' is inverted and the handle 216 moved upwardly. Downward movement of the handle causes tube 214 to ,move relative to' packer 211 whereby the air vent 224 is moved from the position shown in solid line to that indicated in phantom line. Downward movement` of tube 214 also breaks the fluid sealing contact between member 222 and seat 222a by causing member 222 to assume the position shown in phantom line.

Fluid may then flow into the primary spout 203 from where it is directed into the secondary spout 208. A constant air pressure is maintained within bottle 201 due to the fact that air is immediately substituted for fluid as discharged. When fluid is discharged from the bottle 201, air enters tube 214 through air vent 224 and flows through tube 214 to enter the bottle through air vent 225. After'the desired amount of fluid has been discharged from bottle 201, pressure is released from handle whereby there is no tendency for air to pass upwardly' therethrough.

Although the forms o f the invention herein shown and described are fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and that I do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction herein shown and described other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: i j

1. A vented valveadapted to be removably mounted in the liquid discharge opening in the end of a shipping drum to discharge liquid therefrom When said drum is horizontally disposed, including: a valve disc; a rigid guide thatprojects forwardly from said disc, said guide having an air conducting passage formed therein that is located forwardly from said disc; a forwardly and downwardly extending valve body that defines separate liquid discharge and air vent passages within the confines thereof, said body having a rearward internal portion in which said guide is slidably disposed with said air conducting passage at all times communicating with said air vent passage, said body terminating in a transversely positioned valve seat on the rearward end thereof that may be sealingly contacted by said valve disc; a rigid elongate member extending forwardly from said disc, said member slidably supported in a bore formed in said body intermediate the upper and lower extremities thereof, said bore being in communication with said air vent passage; means to removably affix said body to said liquid discharge opening in such a forwardly and downwardly extending position that any liquid entering said air vent passage will drain therefrom adjacent the position at which said liquid flows from said liquid discharge pas'- sage; a handle disposed on the exterior of said body that can be moved through a fixed path relative thereto, which' handle when moved rearwardly moves said elongate member and said disc, with said disc When first separated from said seat permitting flow of said liquid from said drum through said liquid discharge passage, but venting of the interior of said drum only being initiated after said elongate member and disc have been moved rear- Wardly. a suflicient distance to move at least a portion of said air conducting passage outof said valve body, with venting of said interior terminating prior to the return of said disc to a sealing position on said seat; and spring means that atall times urge said elongate member forwardly to place said disc in a sealingvposition on said seat.

2. A vented valve asdefined in claim 1 wherein a rearwardlyV extending tubularV memberl is provided which, is supported in a fixed positionpin the rear confines of said body andis at all times' inl communication with said air vent passage, said guide havingabore which slidably engages sadtubular member, saidairrfconducting passage extending from` said bore to the exterior of said'guide,l with said air passage, bore, tubular member and air4 vent passage establishing communication between, the interior of said drum and the ambient` atmosphere after said disc is moved rearwardly a predetermined distance relative to said seat.

3. A vented valve asdefined in claim l wherein a rear; wardly ezttending tubular member having a` threaded forward end portion is removably supported, in afixed position in the rear confinesof said body,vwhich body has threads formed on the rearward portion of-said air vent passage that are engaged by said threads formed on said tubular member, said guide having a bore formed therein which slidably engages said tubular member, said air conducting passage extending from said bore to the exterior of, said guide, with, said air passage, bore, tubular member and air vent establishingv communication between the interior of said drum and the ambient atmosphere after said discis moved rearwardly a predetermined distance relative'to said seat.l

4. A vented valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the forward extremity of said body terminates in aringshaped surface from which two diametrically4 opposed recesses extend upwardly inqthe body of said valve, which recesses are capable of engaging aportionof a stopper which normallyicloses said ,liquid discharge opening, and said stopper when so engagedbeing susceptible offrotation by use of said body asal lever prior toiconrietztion of said valve body to said discharge opening.

5. A vented valve as defined in cl'airn 1` wherein; said body is formed Vwith a forwardly extending tubulaijboss in communication with said liquid discharge opening through which said rigid elongate, member extends, with said handle being affixed to the forward extremityof said member, and said springl means comprises a compressed helical spring having Vthe forward end thereof, abutting against said handle and Vthe rearward end abut- 8. ting against an interior surface. portion of said boss to at all times tend to) maintain said.` valve disc in pressure contact with said seat'.i.-

6. A vented valve as defined in: claim 1". wherein said handle isaflixed tothe outerJ extremity of` said elongate member and; an ontwardly pivotal toggle mechanism is connected`v to said body and to said handle at a fixed position' relative -thereto, said toggle mechanism when saidf disc is disposed on said seatl being substantially parallel torsaid elongate member, and pivotal looking means isproyidediwhichwhen in a first position prevent outward pivoting of saidtoggle mechanism to permit said handle andielongate'member; to be moved rearwardly to diseng'age said disc from said seat, with said 'locking means when in a second; position allowing said toggle mechanism to pivot outwardly toperfmit said disc to be moved rearwardly from said seat when a rearwardly directed force is manually applied to said handle.

7: A -vented valve, as defined in claim 1 wherein said air vent passage extends upwardly from the forward eX- tremity of said body and develops into a housing situated withinfthe oonfines thereof; said housing having a rearwardly'disposed bore formed therein in coaxial alignment With s aid; intermediately disposed bore formed in said body, said elongate member is of tubular construction and slidably supported` inrsaid bores with the end portions of said -tubular member being sealed, said elongate member has a firstiport formed therein that isat all times disposed withinthe confines ofsaid housing and in communication with said air ventpassage, which port permits the flow of` airv through` said tubu'lar member to a second port formed therein thatis in communication with said port formed in said guide, which elongate member has a forwardly projecting end portion, and pivotal means is provided that support said'handle from the forwardly disposed portion of said body, said handle being of elongate shapea'ndrhaving. a longitudinally extending section that slidably engages the forward extrernity of said elongate member as said handle is pivoted rearwardly toward said valve disc to cause removal thereof from said seat.

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